James is a salaried employee whose job is to proofread legal documents. He discovers that he is paid substantially more than his colleagues, even though their jobs and performances are very similar. What is likely to be his reaction to this discovery according to the equity theory?
A) He will feel a sense of achievement.
B) He will expect to be promoted shortly.
C) He will increase the quantity or the quality of documents he proofreads.
D) He will seek a position within the company commensurate with his pay.
E) He will begin to look for a better position outside of the company.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

C) When a person sees himself as overrewarded, it creates guilt. In order to reinstate a sense of equity, according to equity theory, James will change his inputs (exert more if overpaid). He will increase the quantity or the quality of documents he proofreads.

James Is a Salaried Employee Whose Job Is to Proofread